Sharapova, MariaStan Honda—AFP/Getty ImagesThe U.S. Open is held each year over a two-week period in late August and early September. Since 1978 all the U.S. Open championships have been played on the acrylic hard courts of the U.S. Tennis Association (USTA) National Tennis Center (renamed the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in 2006) in Flushing Meadows, Queens, N.Y. The U.S. Open consists of championships in five main categories: men’s singles and doubles, women’s singles and doubles, and mixed doubles. The tournament is unique among the Grand Slam events in that tiebreakers are played in the deciding sets (the fifth set for men and the third set for women), instead of continuing play in the final set until a player has won by two games.

Agassi, AndreClive Brunskill—Allsport/Getty ImagesThe U.S. Open developed from one of the oldest tennis championships in the world: the U.S. National Championship, which was established in 1881 as a national men’s singles and doubles competition. The tournament was open only to clubs that were members of the U.S. National Lawn Tennis Association (USLTA; now the USTA). The event expanded to include women’s singles in 1887, women’s doubles in 1889, and mixed doubles in 1892. The five championships were contested at different locales until 1968, when all five tournaments were finally hosted at a common site (the West Side Tennis Club in Forest Hills, Queens, N.Y.), whereupon the championships became known as the U.S. Open. The tournament moved to Flushing Meadows in 1978. As a unique result of this decentralized history, the tournament has been played on a variety of surfaces: from 1881 to 1974, it was played on grass; from 1975 to 1977, on clay; and since 1978, on DecoTurf, a fast hard-court surface comprising an acrylic layer over an asphalt or concrete base.

Henin, JustineXinhua/LandovThe main court at the U.S. Open (and the National Tennis Center’s largest venue) is the 22,000-seat Arthur Ashe Stadium, which is followed in capacity by the 10,000-seat Louis Armstrong Stadium, the 6,000-seat Grandstand Stadium, and smaller side courts. All courts are lit and therefore conducive to night play, and the inner courts are painted blue to facilitate the tracking of the ball. Like most major championships tied to professional sports, the U.S. Open is as much a media extravaganza and tourist attraction as a sporting event, with special musical acts and family activities scheduled throughout the two-week period.

Del Potro, Juan MartínClive Brunskill/Getty ImagesOne of the most notable moments in U.S. Open history took place in the 1992 semifinal match between American Michael Chang and Stefan Edberg of Sweden. Edberg emerged victorious, but only after a grueling five hours and 26 minutes, defeating Chang 6–7, 7–5, 7–6, 5–7, 6–4. That is believed to be the longest match in U.S. Open history. The longest women’s match in the competition’s history—in terms of number of games—occurred in 1898 (before the institution of tiebreakers), when the five-set match between Juliette Atkinson (the winner) and Marion Jones extended to 51 games. Arthur Ashe won the U.S. Open in 1968, but because of his amateur status (he was a lieutenant in the U.S. Army at the time) he was unable to accept the prize money. Another interesting side note in U.S. Open history is that Jimmy Connors is the only male to have won Open singles titles on all three of the Open’s surfaces, while Chris Evert (this author) is the only woman to have won on two surfaces, winning a record six U.S. Open titles in all (1975–78, 1980, 1982).

This author’s first experience playing a Grand Slam tournament was as a 16-year-old at the U.S. Open (in Forest Hills), and her last Grand Slam appearance (18 years later) was also at the U.S. Open (in Flushing Meadows). In the years between she won 18 singles Grand Slam championships, but those won at home, at the U.S. Open, will always be very special.

U.S. Open singles champions

The table provides a chronological list of U.S. Open singles champions.

United States Open Tennis Championships—singles

year

men

women

1881

D. Sears (U.S.)

1882

D. Sears (U.S.)

1883

D. Sears (U.S.)

1884

D. Sears (U.S.)

1885

D. Sears (U.S.)

1886

D. Sears (U.S.)

1887

D. Sears (U.S.)

E. Hansell (U.S.)

1888

H. Slocum (U.S.)

B. Townsend (U.S.)

1889

H. Slocum (U.S.)

B. Townsend (U.S.)

1890

O. Campbell (U.S.)

E. Roosevelt (U.S.)

1891

O. Campbell (U.S.)

M. Cahill (U.S.)

1892

O. Campbell (U.S.)

M. Cahill (U.S.)

1893

R. Wrenn (U.S.)

A. Terry (U.S.)

1894

R. Wrenn (U.S.)

H. Helwig (U.S.)

1895

F. Hovey (U.S.)

J. Atkinson (U.S.)

1896

R. Wrenn (U.S.)

E. Moore (U.S.)

1897

R. Wrenn (U.S.)

J. Atkinson (U.S.)

1898

M.D. Whitman (U.S.)

J. Atkinson (U.S.)

1899

M.D. Whitman (U.S.)

M. Jones (U.S.)

1900

M.D. Whitman (U.S.)

M. McAteer (U.S.)

1901

W.A. Larned (U.S.)

E. Moore (U.S.)

1902

W.A. Larned (U.S.)

M. Jones (U.S.)

1903

L. Doherty (U.K.)

E. Moore (U.S.)

1904

H. Ward (U.S.)

M. Sutton (U.S.)

1905

B. Wright (U.S.)

E. Moore (U.S.)

1906

W.J. Clothier (U.S.)

H. Homans (U.S.)

1907

W.A. Larned (U.S.)

E. Sears (U.S.)

1908

W.A. Larned (U.S.)

M. Bargar-Wallach (U.S.)

1909

W.A. Larned (U.S.)

H. Hotchkiss (U.S.)

1910

W.A. Larned (U.S.)

H. Hotchkiss (U.S.)

1911

W.A. Larned (U.S.)

H. Hotchkiss (U.S.)

1912

M. McLoughlin (U.S.)

M.K. Browne (U.S.)

1913

M. McLoughlin (U.S.)

M.K. Browne (U.S.)

1914

D. Williams (U.S.)

M.K. Browne (U.S.)

1915

B. Johnston (U.S.)

M. Bjurstedt (Nor.)

1916

D. Williams (U.S.)

M. Bjurstedt (Nor.)

1917

R.L. Murray (U.S.)

M. Bjurstedt (Nor.)

1918

R.L. Murray (U.S.)

M. Bjurstedt (Nor.)

1919

B. Johnston (U.S.)

H. Hotchkiss Wightman (U.S.)

1920

B. Tilden (U.S.)

M. Bjurstedt Mallory (U.S.)

1921

B. Tilden (U.S.)

M. Mallory (U.S.)

1922

B. Tilden (U.S.)

M. Mallory (U.S.)

1923

B. Tilden (U.S.)

H. Wills (U.S.)

1924

B. Tilden (U.S.)

H. Wills (U.S.)

1925

B. Tilden (U.S.)

H. Wills (U.S.)

1926

R. Lacoste (France)

M. Mallory (U.S.)

1927

R. Lacoste (France)

H. Wills (U.S.)

1928

H. Cochet (France)

H. Wills (U.S.)

1929

B. Tilden (U.S.)

H. Wills (U.S.)

1930

J. Doeg (U.S.)

B. Nuthall (U.K.)

1931

E. Vines (U.S.)

H. Wills Moody (U.S.)

1932

E. Vines (U.S.)

H. Jacobs (U.S.)

1933

F. Perry (U.K.)

H. Jacobs (U.S.)

1934

F. Perry (U.K.)

H. Jacobs (U.S.)

1935

W. Allison (U.S.)

H. Jacobs (U.S.)

1936

F. Perry (U.K.)

A. Marble (U.S.)

1937

D. Budge (U.S.)

A. Lizana (Chile)

1938

D. Budge (U.S.)

A. Marble (U.S.)

1939

B. Riggs (U.S.)

A. Marble (U.S.)

1940

D. McNeill (U.S.)

A. Marble (U.S.)

1941

B. Riggs (U.S.)

S. Palfrey Cooke (U.S.)

1942

T. Schroeder (U.S.)

P. Betz (U.S.)

1943

J.R. Hunt (U.S.)

P. Betz (U.S.)

1944

F. Parker (U.S.)

P. Betz (U.S.)

1945

F. Parker (U.S.)

S. Palfrey Cooke (U.S.)

1946

J. Kramer (U.S.)

P. Betz (U.S.)

1947

J. Kramer (U.S.)

L. Brough (U.S.)

1948

P. Gonzales (U.S.)

M. du Pont (U.S.)

1949

P. Gonzales (U.S.)

M. du Pont (U.S.)

1950

A. Larsen (U.S.)

M. du Pont (U.S.)

1951

F. Sedgman (Austl.)

M. Connolly (U.S.)

1952

F. Sedgman (Austl.)

M. Connolly (U.S.)

1953

T. Trabert (U.S.)

M. Connolly (U.S.)

1954

V. Seixas (U.S.)

D. Hart (U.S.)

1955

T. Trabert (U.S.)

D. Hart (U.S.)

1956

K. Rosewall (Austl.)

S. Fry (U.S.)

1957

M. Anderson (Austl.)

A. Gibson (U.S.)

1958

A. Cooper (Austl.)

A. Gibson (U.S.)

1959

N. Fraser (Austl.)

M. Bueno (Braz.)

1960

N. Fraser (Austl.)

D. Hard (U.S.)

1961

R. Emerson (Austl.)

D. Hard (U.S.)

1962

R. Laver (Austl.)

M. Smith (Austl.)

1963

R. Osuna (Mex.)

M. Bueno (Braz.)

1964

R. Emerson (Austl.)

M. Bueno (Braz.)

1965

M. Santana (Spain)

M. Smith (Austl.)

1966

F. Stolle (Austl.)

M. Bueno (Braz.)

1967

J. Newcombe (Austl.)

B.J. King (U.S.)

1968*

A. Ashe (U.S.)

V. Wade (U.K.) M. Smith Court (Austl.)

1969*

R. Laver (Austl.) S. Smith (U.S.)

M. Smith Court (Austl.)

1970

K. Rosewall (Austl.)

M. Smith Court (Austl.)

1971

S. Smith (U.S.)

B.J. King (U.S.)

1972

I. Nastase (Rom.)

B.J. King (U.S.)

1973

J. Newcombe (Austl.)

M. Smith Court (Austl.)

1974

J. Connors (U.S.)

B.J. King (U.S.)

1975

M. Orantes (Spain)

C. Evert (U.S.)

1976

J. Connors (U.S.)

C. Evert (U.S.)

1977

G. Vilas (Arg.)

C. Evert (U.S.)

1978

J. Connors (U.S.)

C. Evert (U.S.)

1979

J. McEnroe (U.S.)

T. Austin (U.S.)

1980

J. McEnroe (U.S.)

C. Evert Lloyd (U.S.)

1981

J. McEnroe (U.S.)

T. Austin (U.S.)

1982

J. Connors (U.S.)

C. Evert Lloyd (U.S.)

1983

J. Connors (U.S.)

M. Navratilova (U.S.)

1984

J. McEnroe (U.S.)

M. Navratilova (U.S.)

1985

I. Lendl (Czech.)

H. Mandlikova (Czech.)

1986

I. Lendl (Czech.)

M. Navratilova (U.S.)

1987

I. Lendl (Czech.)

M. Navratilova (U.S.)

1988

M. Wilander (Swed.)

S. Graf (W.Ger.)

1989

B. Becker (W.Ger.)

S. Graf (W.Ger.)

1990

P. Sampras (U.S.)

G. Sabatini (Arg.)

1991

S. Edberg (Swed.)

M. Seles (Yugos.)

1992

S. Edberg (Swed.)

M. Seles (Yugos.)

1993

P. Sampras (U.S.)

S. Graf (Ger.)

1994

A. Agassi (U.S.)

A. Sánchez Vicario (Spain)

1995

P. Sampras (U.S.)

S. Graf (Ger.)

1996

P. Sampras (U.S.)

S. Graf (Ger.)

1997

P. Rafter (Austl.)

M. Hingis (Switz.)

1998

P. Rafter (Austl.)

L. Davenport (U.S.)

1999

A. Agassi (U.S.)

S. Williams (U.S.)

2000

M. Safin (Russia)

V. Williams (U.S.)

2001

L. Hewitt (Austl.)

V. Williams (U.S.)

2002

P. Sampras (U.S.)

S. Williams (U.S.)

2003

A. Roddick (U.S.)

J. Henin-Hardenne (Belg.)

2004

R. Federer (Switz.)

S. Kuznetsova (Russia)

2005

R. Federer (Switz.)

K. Clijsters (Belg.)

2006

R. Federer (Switz.)

M. Sharapova (Russia)

2007

R. Federer (Switz.)

J. Henin (Belg.)

2008

R. Federer (Switz.)

S. Williams (U.S.)

2009

J.M. del Potro (Arg.)

K. Clijsters (Belg.)

2010

R. Nadal (Spain)

K. Clijsters (Belg.)

2011

N. Djokovic (Serbia)

S. Stosur (Austl.)

2012

A. Murray (U.K.)

S. Williams (U.S.)

2013

R. Nadal (Spain)

S. Williams (U.S.)

2014

M. Cilic (Cro.)

S. Williams (U.S.)

*In 1968 and 1969 both amateur and open championships were held. Ashe won both men’s competitions in 1968; Smith won the amateur championship in 1969. Smith Court won the women’s amateur competition in 1968 and both championships in 1969. Thereafter the championships were open.

U.S. Open doubles champions

The table provides a chronological list of U.S. Open doubles champions.

United States Open Tennis Championships—doubles

year

men

women

1881

C. Clark, F. Taylor

1882

R. Sears, J. Dwight

1883

R. Sears, J. Dwight

1884

R. Sears, J. Dwight

1885

R. Sears, J. Clark

1886

R. Sears, J. Dwight

1887

R. Sears, J. Dwight

1888

O. Campbell, V. Hall

1889

H. Slocum, H. Taylor

M. Ballard, B. Townsend

1890

V. Hall, C. Hobart

E. Roosevelt, G. Roosevelt

1891

O. Campbell, B. Huntington

M. Cahill, Mrs. W.F. Morgan

1892

O. Campbell, B. Huntington

M. Cahill, A. McKinlay

1893

C. Hobart, F. Hovey

A. Terry, H. Butler

1894

C. Hobart, F. Hovey

H. Helwig, J. Atkinson

1895

M. Chace, R. Wrenn

H. Helwig, J. Atkinson

1896

C. Neel, S. Neel

E. Moore, J. Atkinson

1897

L. Ware, G. Sheldon

J. Atkinson, K. Atkinson

1898

L. Ware, G. Sheldon

J. Atkinson, K. Atkinson

1899

H. Ward, D. Davis

J. Craven, M. McAteer

1900

H. Ward, D. Davis

E. Parker, H. Champlin

1901

H. Ward, D. Davis

J. Atkinson, M. McAteer

1902

R. Doherty, L. Doherty

J. Atkinson, M. Jones

1903

R. Doherty, L. Doherty

E. Moore, C. Neely

1904

H. Ward, B. Wright

M. Sutton, M. Hall

1905

H. Ward, B. Wright

H. Homans, C. Neely

1906

H. Ward, B. Wright

Mrs. L. Coe, Mrs. D. Platt

1907

F. Alexander, H. Hackett

M. Wimer, C. Neely

1908

F. Alexander, H. Hackett

E. Sears, M. Curtis

1909

F. Alexander, H. Hackett

H. Hotchkiss, E. Rotch

1910

F. Alexander, H. Hackett

H. Hotchkiss, E. Rotch

1911

R. Little, G. Touchard

H. Hotchkiss, E. Sears

1912

M. McLoughlin, T. Bundy

D. Green, M. Browne

1913

M. McLoughlin, T. Bundy

M. Browne, L. Williams

1914

M. McLoughlin, T. Bundy

M. Browne, L. Williams

1915

B. Johnston, C. Griffin

H. Hotchkiss Wightman, E. Sears

1916

B. Johnston, C. Griffin

M. Bjurstedt, E. Sears

1917

F. Alexander, H. Throckmorton

M. Bjurstedt, E. Sears

1918

B. Tilden, V. Richards

M. Zinderstein, E. Goss

1919

N. Brookes, G. Patterson

M. Zinderstein, E. Goss

1920

B. Johnston, C. Griffin

M. Zinderstein, E. Goss

1921

B. Tilden, V. Richards

M. Browne, L. Williams

1922

B. Tilden, V. Richards

M. Zinderstein Jessup, H. Wills

1923

B. Tilden, B. Norton

K. McKane, P. Covell

1924

H. Kinsey, R. Kinsey

H. Hotchkiss Wightman, H. Wills

1925

D. Williams, V. Richards

M. Browne, H. Wills

1926

D. Williams, V. Richards

E. Ryan, E. Goss

1927

B. Tilden, F. Hunter

K. McKane Godfree, E. Harvey

1928

G. Lott, J. Hennessey

H. Hotchkiss Wightman, H. Wills

1929

G. Lott, J. Doeg

P. Watson, P. Michell

1930

G. Lott, J. Doeg

B. Nuthall, S. Palfrey

1931

W. Allison, J. Van Ryn

B. Nuthall, E. Whittingstall

1932

E. Vines, K. Gledhill

H. Jacobs, S. Palfrey

1933

G. Lott, L. Stoefen

B. Nuthall, F. James

1934

G. Lott, L. Stoefen

H. Jacobs, S. Palfrey

1935

W. Allison, J. Van Ryn

H. Jacobs, S. Palfrey Fabyan

1936

D. Budge, G. Mako

M. Van Ryn, C. Babcock

1937

G. von Cramm, H. Henkel

S. Palfrey Fabyan, A. Marble

1938

D. Budge, G. Mako

S. Palfrey Fabyan, A. Marble

1939

A. Quist, J. Bromwich

S. Palfrey Fabyan, A. Marble

1940

J. Kramer, T. Schroeder

S. Palfrey Fabyan, A. Marble

1941

J. Kramer, T. Schroeder

S. Palfrey Cooke, M. Osborne

1942

G. Mulloy, B. Talbert

L. Brough, M. Osborne

1943

J. Kramer, F. Parker

L. Brough, M. Osborne

1944

D. McNeill, B. Falkenburg

L. Brough, M. Osborne

1945

G. Mulloy, B. Talbert

L. Brough, M. Osborne

1946

G. Mulloy, B. Talbert

L. Brough, M. Osborne

1947

J. Kramer, T. Schroeder

L. Brough, M. Osborne

1948

G. Mulloy, B. Talbert

L. Brough, M. Osborne du Pont

1949

J. Bromwich, B. Sidwell

L. Brough, M. du Pont

1950

J. Bromwich, F. Sedgman

L. Brough, M. du Pont

1951

K. McGregor, F. Sedgman

S. Fry, D. Hart

1952

M. Rose, V. Seixas

S. Fry, D. Hart

1953

R. Hartwig, M. Rose

S. Fry, D. Hart

1954

T. Trabert, V. Seixas

S. Fry, D. Hart

1955

Kamo K., Miyagi A.

L. Brough, M. du Pont

1956

L. Hoad, K. Rosewall

L. Brough, M. du Pont

1957

A. Cooper, N. Fraser

L. Brough, M. du Pont

1958

A. Olmedo, H. Richardson

J. Arth, D. Hard

1959

N. Fraser, R. Emerson

J. Arth, D. Hard

1960

N. Fraser, R. Emerson

M. Bueno, D. Hard

1961

C. McKinley, D. Ralston

D. Hard, L. Turner

1962

R. Osuna, A. Palafox

D. Hard, M. Bueno

1963

C. McKinley, D. Ralston

R. Ebbern, M. Smith

1964

C. McKinley, D. Ralston

B.J. Moffitt, K. Susman

1965

R. Emerson, F. Stolle

C. Graebner, N. Richey

1966

R. Emerson, F. Stolle

M. Bueno, N. Richey

1967

J. Newcombe, T. Roche

B.J. Moffitt King, R. Casals

1968*

B. Lutz, S. Smith

M. Bueno, M. Court

1969*

K. Rosewall, F. Stolle D. Crealy, A. Stone

F. Durr, D. Hard M. Court, V. Wade

1970

P. Barthes, N. Pilic

M. Court, J. Dalton

1971

J. Newcombe, R. Taylor

R. Casals, J. Dalton

1972

C. Drysdale, R. Taylor

F. Durr, B. Stove

1973

O. Davidson, J. Newcombe

M. Court, V. Wade

1974

B. Lutz, S. Smith

B.J. King, R. Casals

1975

J. Connors, I. Nastase

M. Court, V. Wade

1976

T. Okker, M. Riessen

L. Boshoff, I. Kloss

1977

B. Hewitt, F. McMillan

M. Navratilova, B. Stove

1978

B. Lutz, S. Smith

M. Navratilova, B.J. King

1979

J. McEnroe, P. Fleming

W. Turnbull, B. Stove

1980

R. Lutz, S. Smith

B.J. King, M. Navratilova

1981

J. McEnroe, P. Fleming

K. Jordan, A. Smith

1982

K. Curren, S. Denton

R. Casals, W. Turnbull

1983

J. McEnroe, P. Fleming

M. Navratilova, P. Shriver

1984

J. Fitzgerald, T. Smid

M. Navratilova, P. Shriver

1985

K. Flach, R. Seguso

C. Kohde-Kilsch, H. Sukova

1986

A. Gomez, S. Zivojinovic

M. Navratilova, P. Shriver

1987

S. Edberg, A. Jarryd

M. Navratilova, P. Shriver

1988

S. Casal, E. Sánchez

G. Fernandez, R. White

1989

J. McEnroe, M. Woodforde

M. Navratilova, H. Mandlikova

1990

P. Aldrich, D. Visser

M. Navratilova, G. Fernandez

1991

J. Fitzgerald, A. Jarryd

P. Shriver, N. Zvereva

1992

J. Grabb, R. Reneberg

G. Fernandez, N. Zvereva

1993

K. Flach, R. Leach

A. Sánchez Vicario, H. Sukova

1994

P. Haarhuis, J. Eltingh

A. Sánchez Vicario, J. Novotna

1995

T. Woodbridge, M. Woodforde

G. Fernandez, N. Zvereva

1996

T. Woodbridge, M. Woodforde

G. Fernandez, N. Zvereva

1997

Ye. Kafelnikov, D. Vacek

L. Davenport, J. Novotna

1998

S. Stolle, C. Suk

M. Hingis, J. Novotna

1999

S. Lareau, A. O’Brien

S. Williams, V. Williams

2000

L. Hewitt, M. Mirnyi

J. Halard Decugis, A. Sugiyama

2001

W. Black, K. Ullyet

L. Raymond, R. Stubbs

2002

M. Bhupathi, M. Mirnyi

V. Ruano Pascual, P. Suárez

2003

J. Bjorkman, T. Woodbridge

V. Ruano Pascual, P. Suárez

2004

M. Knowles, D. Nestor

V. Ruano Pascual, P. Suárez

2005

B. Bryan, M. Bryan

L. Raymond, S. Stosur

2006

M. Damm, L. Paes

N. Dechy, V. Zvonareva

2007

S. Aspelin, J. Knowle

N. Dechy, D. Safina

2008

B. Bryan, M. Bryan

C. Black, L. Huber

2009

L. Dlouhy, L. Paes

S. Williams, V. Williams

2010

B. Bryan, M. Bryan

V. King, Y. Shvedova

2011

J. Melzer, P. Petzschner

L. Huber, L. Raymond

2012

B. Bryan, M. Bryan

S. Errani, R. Vinci

2013

L. Paes, R. Stepanek

A. Hlavackova, L. Hradecka

2014

B. Bryan, M. Bryan

Ye. Makarova, Ye. Vesnina

*In 1968 and 1969 both amateur and open championships were held. Lutz and Smith won both men’s competitions in 1968; Crealy and Stone took the men’s amateur championships in 1969. Bueno and Court won both women’s competitions in 1968; Court and Wade took the women’s amateur championships in 1969. Thereafter the championships were open.

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